If you'd like to return an item you bought on eBay, you can use the return process for some items:
To start a return, find the item in My eBay and select Return this item from the More actions drop-down menu.
Select the reason for the return. You'll see your anticipated refund amount.
Print a return shipping label and packing slip. Or, if a shipping label isn't available for the item, contact the seller about alternative shipping arrangements.
Pack the item carefully. Include the packing slip, affix the shipping label, and send the item back to the seller within 5 business days* of starting the return. You can drop the package off at the post office or schedule a pickup with the US Postal Service.
You can track the status of the returned item in the Purchase history section of My eBay. (Find the returned item and click View return details from the More actions drop-down menu).The seller will issue your refund within 5 business days after receiving the item.
*Business days are weekdays—Monday through Friday. Saturdays, Sundays, and major US holidays aren't business days.
Eligibility
You can use the return process when:
The item was listed on eBay.com
You want a full refund, not a partial refund or exchange
You paid for the item with PayPal
A return is US-based. (Both the seller's return address and your address are in the US.)
You haven't opened an eBay Buyer Protection or PayPal Purchase Protection case, or requested a chargeback on the credit card associated with your PayPal account.
You haven't been suspended from the returns process
Things to keep in mind:
You need to follow all return time frames. Start a return by the time specified in the Return policy section of the listing and ship the item back within 5 business days after starting the return.
Make sure that you're returning an item in the same condition as you received it. See the item condition policy for returns for more information.
Return shipping charges
Either you or the seller is responsible for return shipping charges, depending on the seller's return policy and the reason for the return. In most cases, sellers require that buyers pay return shipping charges, but some sellers offer free return shipping—check the Return policy section of the listing. If you're returning an item because it isn't as described in the listing, the seller is responsible for return shipping charges.
When you're responsible for return shipping charges, we'll charge your PayPal account if the item is shipped with our label. The first time you use the return process and you're responsible for return shipping charges, we'll ask you to set up a billing agreement to authorize payment for these kinds of charges.
When you want to return an item using alternative shipping arrangements and the seller is responsible for the return shipping charges, you'll need to contact the seller to agree on the service and cost before you return the item.
Return shipping charges when using eBay shipping labels
Returns are shipped through USPS Parcel Post, First-Class, or Priority Mail—whichever is the most appropriate for the cost, package weight, and delivery time. In some instances, return shipping charges may not be based on the actual weight of the package, but an estimate.
Return shipping charges are based on rates negotiated with USPS. These charges may differ from actual rates to ship an item and are subject to change.
Package weight
Shipping service
Shipping charges
13 ounces or under
USPS First-Class Mail
$2.00
Over 13 ounces, up to 2 pounds
USPS Priority Mail
$7.17
Over 2 pounds, up to 3 pounds
USPS Priority Mail
$8.66
Over 3 pounds, up to 4 pounds
USPS Priority Mail
$10.05
Over 4 pounds, up to 5 pounds
USPS Priority Mail
$11.31
Over 5 pounds, up to 6 pounds
USPS Parcel Post
$11.79
Over 6 pounds, up to 7 pounds
USPS Parcel Post
$12.61
Over 7 pounds, up to 8 pounds
USPS Parcel Post
$13.88
Over 8 pounds, up to 9 pounds
USPS Parcel Post
$14.56
Over 9 pounds, up to 10 pounds
USPS Parcel Post
$15.19
Over 10 pounds, up to 15 pounds
USPS Parcel Post
$16.93
Over 15 pounds, up to 20 pounds
USPS Parcel Post
$20.73
Over 20 pounds, up to 25 pounds
USPS Parcel Post
$23.61
Over 25 pounds, up to 30 pounds
USPS Parcel Post
$27.09
Over 30 pounds, up to 70 pounds
USPS Parcel Post
$35.35
Unknown weight
USPS Priority Mail
$7.17
Refunds
Refunds are automatically adjusted for any applicable restocking fees or shipping charges.
When the item isn't as described:
If you return an item because it's not as described in the listing, arrives damaged, or is missing parts, then your refund equals:
Total purchase price (including the cost of the item, any other charges, and any sales tax paid by you)
+ Original shipping (if paid for by you) = Total refund
In these situations, the seller can't charge a restocking fee and the seller pays for the return shipping charges.
All other returns:
If you return an item for any other reason, including when you change your mind about a purchase, your refund equals:
Total purchase price (including the cost of the item, any other charges, and any sales tax paid by you) - Restocking fee, if specified in the
Return policy section of the listing = Total refund
In these situations, you'll pay for the return shipping charges, unless the Return policy section of the listing specifies that seller pays them.
If a return is escalated to Buyer Protection
If a seller doesn't issue a refund within 5 business days after receiving a returned item, you can open a Buyer Protection case. You have 10 business days to open a Buyer Protection case after a seller's time to issue a refund (5 business days) has passed.
If you use alternative shipping arrangements, return shipping charges will not be included in any Buyer Protection refunds, even if seller agreed to pay return shipping charges.
Alternative return shipping arrangements
You may need to use alternative shipping arrangements when:
Insurance isn't available for return shipments. If either you or the seller prefers that an item be returned with insurance, purchase your own return postage instead of using the return label provided.
Each return is allowed one return package. If multiple packages are required to ship a return, you'll need to make alternate shipping arrangements for the remaining packages.
If we don't know the size and weight of a package, we may give you a shipping label for an item that's too big for USPS to ship. In these instances, you'll need to make alternative shipping arrangements.
A return shipping label isn't available if the expected shipping charges exceed the expected refund.
Contact the seller to agree on alternative shipping arrangements or, in the case of local pick up, a way of getting the item back to seller safely.
When the seller is responsible for return shipping charges and alternative shipping arrangements are needed, contact the seller to agree on the service and cost before sending the item. Make sure to include the packing slip, tracking, and for items valued at or more than $250, delivery confirmation.
When using alternative shipping arrangements, either you or the seller pays for return shipping charges as outlined above.
Resolving problems
If it's too late to start a return, it's up to the seller whether or not to accept a late return. Contact the seller for more information. (Use Messages in My eBay when contacting the seller to keep a record of your conversation.)
If 5 business days have passed since you started a return and you haven't sent the item yet, contact the seller to see whether they're still willing to accept your return. (Use Messages in My eBay when contacting the seller to keep a record of your conversation.)
You can follow the status of your return—we'll show you tracking details for the return package, let you know when the item has been delivered to the seller, and when you can expect your refund.
If it's been 5 business days since the return was delivered to the seller and no refund has been issued, you can open a Buyer Protection case.
Important: If you shipped the item later than the required time frame, the seller isn't required to issue a refund.
If you find that there is an issue with your transaction after starting a return, you may not be able to open a Buyer Protection case right away. This may be to allow extra time for a return to be delivered or for a seller to issue a refund. After sufficient time has passed, you'll be able to open a Buyer Protection case.
Sellers can deduct a restocking fee for returned items. Any restocking fees are clearly stated in the Return policy section of the listing.
We typically allow a little extra time for delivery. After sufficient time has passed, and the seller still hasn't received your returned item, you can open a Buyer Protection case and we'll look into the matter.
In most cases, the return process is the best way to quickly and easily return an item to a seller. However, there are a few instances where you'll need to open a Buyer Protection case instead of using the return process:
If the item you received is missing parts and rather than return the item you'd like to receive the needed parts. (To return the item, use the return process.)
If you're unable to return the item because it's unsafe to ship (such as a ruptured and leaking battery) or broken beyond repair.
If you've already returned the item, but you and the seller aren't able to resolve a problem.
If you don't use the returns process, you can open a buyer protection case in the Resolution Center.
If the returned item does meet these requirements and the seller still refuses the refund, you can open a Buyer Protection case, and we'll review the details of the return.
For each sale (or transaction) with a seller, you have one opportunity to return an item or multiple items, depending on the listing:
Lots, sets, and bundled items
You have one opportunity to return the entire quantity of the sale. For example, you buy a 5-piece place setting of dinner ware, which includes a teacup, saucer, dinner plate, salad plate, and a bread plate.
You have one opportunity to return the entire 5-piece place setting. You can't return a few pieces of the place setting, like just the teacup and saucer, for instance. (To return one item of the set, contact the seller.)
Multi-quantity listings
You have one opportunity to return any quantity of purchased items. For example, you buy T-shirts, and in the listing you select a quantity of 5.
You can return any quantity of the 5 T-shirts, but you only have one opportunity to return items. For instance, if you return 2 of the 5 T-shirts, you can't return the remaining 3 later.
Items from multiple listings from the same seller
You have one opportunity to return each item individually. For example, you buy 3 books from a single seller. Each book was listed individually, but you paid for the books in a single step with eBay checkout.
Each book needs to be returned individually.
In some cases, before you can print the shipping label for your return, we may need to verify a few details. The label will be printable within 2 business days.
If a seller doesn't want an item returned, you and the seller need to agree on a resolution. For example, a seller may offer a refund without needing the item back.
Not all items are eligible for the return process. You may be able to return an item to a seller, but you'll need to contact them for details.
You can reprint a return shipping label, but you can only use one label.
If a return requires multiple packages, you'll need to make alternate shipping arrangements for either the remaining packages or for all of the packages.
The return process doesn't allow for exchanges. We recommend that you either return the original item and then place a new order for the replacement, or contact the seller.
If you start a return but decide to keep the item, you don't need to take any action.
From the Purchase History section of My eBay, find the returned item
Click View return details from the More actions drop-down menu
Click the Open a case button.
You have 10 business days to open a Buyer Protection case after a seller's time to issue a refund (5 business days) has passed.
Misuse of returns
Many problems are misunderstandings that can be worked out when buyers and sellers talk to each other—but occasionally, you may not be able to resolve a problem with the seller. In these instances, open a Buyer Protection case.
If a buyer is determined to have abused the return process or Buyer Protection, they may be subject to a range of actions, including limits on their buying and selling privileges and suspension of their account. Examples may include:
Selecting an inaccurate reason for return.
Disregarding item conditions required for return.
Changes to this process
We may update the return process at any time by posting the amended terms on this site.
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